This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to support Bible translations in progress around the country. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie has her degree in Public Health, but her "public" now consists of our ten-year-old, Isaac, and our two-year-old quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace.

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children's children . . . Psalm 103:17

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Thursday, February 7, 2013

News Correction :}

Last night a news crew came and interviewed us, and yesterday we were in the Metro section of the Dallas Morning News, all to celebrate Seth's homecoming. We were so happy to share our joy and give all the glory to God, the Maker and Sustainer of all things. However, apparently the story got around and was mis-written, saying that we had million dollar babies paid for by Medicaid. Needless to say, there were some pretty nasty, judgmental comments as a result.This is a portion of my response to the Daily Mail in the UK:We DO have insurance for all of our children, Seth just burned through the maximum yearly amount ($750,000) since he was so sick [and that's even with the plan year renewing in October, so he really did cost the insurance company about a million bucks!]. At least our insurance got Seth very nearly out of the hospital! And we have paid into the Medicaid system. All of the other babies are still fully insured, as are my husband, our older son and myself.

I hope our interview tomorrow on Good Morning America is less controversial, but I realize this is God's business. I'm so grateful for the beautiful, healthy babies He's given us, I can never say so enough!

18 comments:

I think your babies and your entire family are wonderful. I dare say anyone who is a parent would do whatever they had to do to protect their childrena nd get them proper medical care, including using medicaid if need be. Many babies are born every day who use medicaid and they are just as special as those who have insurance. At least you have the forethought to have insurance. You are wonderful people with precious babies and God has blessed you with the health of six children. God Bless You All

Oh my goodness, what ignorance. I called in and they wouldn't let me talk! They assume we pulled out the big guns and spent tons of money to get pregnant, which simply isn't true. We could not afford adoption - not even close (although I realize God could/would have provided if that was what He was calling us to do, but then again we live in New Guinea where children are kept in the extended family and community). We COULD afford the generic shots I was on. Not IVF, just the shots to increase the number of eggs I would ovulate and thicken my uterine lining. All of this because of that ectopic rupture back in 2007. And God is sovereign and has blessed us SO much with these babies! Thanks, Gina, for volunteering to be part of our lives and the babies'. :)

The news story was carried in the Amarillo Daily News. I was so excited when one of my friends informed me that there was a story in the news about "my" quints! I read the story and enjoyed the pictures, never seeing any problem with the financial facts. Maybe it was because I already knew the insurance story, but seriously. Anyone who has had any medical treatment knows the staggering costs of health care.

Both of you, Gavin & Carrie, have done a wonderful job of expressing the concerns of caring for these children and have been busy devoting all your time, money, and efforts in doing so without turning away the assistance offered by volunteers and those who choose to give.

God bless you both. I love your right to life approach to parenthood. Such a personal decision cannot be dictated. You both did such an excellent job of addressing the issue. Do not focus on the naysayers. Keep your eyes on God who has blessed you and in the process all of us, with these beautiful babies and the miraculous story of their homecoming.

Thank you so very much for allowing us to be a small part of that miracle. My prayer life has grown immensely because of these babies. I now participate in several prayer groups, some online. I am not afraid to post prayers and reach out to strangers to pray for their needs.

It may be that over here in the UK, we don't have insurance. I didn't realise it was a "bad" thing, in some peoples eyes, to have that medicaid thing. I noticed most comments that were negative were from americans who understand the system over the pond better than us. Excuse us in the UK for our ignorance in some matters. You have beautiful children and I look forward to follwoing your blog x

Hi CG, thanks for your sweet comment and insight. Yes, I noticed right away that it was Americans who were responding negatively; just to a British publication. Given that the UK has socialized medicine I can see why it wouldn't be top of their minds to be specific about our insurance vs. Medicaid, which of course resulted in some American readers getting very upset in their false assumption that our entire family is living off of their tax dollars! I appreciate your time and interest!Carrie

I just stumbled across your story on the news and was glad they had a link to your blog. I'm sorry if you received negative feedback whether it was one penny or a million bucks (not true of course) of medicaid. Thankfully you were able to have insurance but folks just don't understand the system and the costs you still face. (My husband had an emergency room visit and emergency surgery in 2011 that billed out at nearly $50,000! We were grateful for insurance and only had to pay about $1800 but one day cost THAT much!! So I get the high cost you experienced.) Bottom line for me....I wouldn't deny your child a penny or be resentful for it. It warms my heart to think you children have come so far. I look at my one child and would want the same for her. Prayers and best wishes for you.

Our family's situation was a little different, but after having spontaneous triplets we qualified for Medicaid for their first year of life and we also had private insurance. I don't know why anyone would have negative things to say about a family with 5 premature babies being on Medicaid, that's what it exists for! I hope you don't let any hurtful words get to you, God's hands are certainly on your family!

Our family's situation was a little different, but after having spontaneous triplets we qualified for Medicaid for their first year of life and we also had private insurance. I don't know why anyone would have negative things to say about a family with 5 premature babies being on Medicaid, that's what it exists for! I hope you don't let any hurtful words get to you, God's hands are certainly on your family!